Bio & Some of The Journey...

Unexpected events can lead us on adventures that we never could have imaged for ourselves... and so, it is two such events that would set the stage for shaping Raylene's future... even though it would seem the most unlikely and incompatible circumstances that she could achieve the pathway that would unfold...

Gasping for breath and spending most of your formative years in and out of hospital were to be many of Raylene's childhood memories... watching out the window as her mum and dad had to go back home to the farm to care for her brothers... Asthma isn't kind to anyone! On one such occasion, she had stopped breathing... and her mum feared that she would not make it... desperately, mum cried out for God to save her little girl! From this time on, Raylene had a strong awareness of God and a desire to know him... even though no one in her family went to church at that time.

The second unlikely event - and with childlike curiosity at 4 years old - Raylene was exploring the farm that her family had moved to when suddenly her foot slipped into a broken bottle causing all the tendons to be cut through to the bone! Surgery, six weeks in hospital and ongoing treatment set Raylene on the pathway to learning to dance as one of the therapies to help strengthen her damaged ankle - yet it was here that she discovered her love for music! Not too long after this... her passion for singing was awakened when much to her delight, Raylene was chosen for the school choir and so the musical journey began....

However, her opportunity to learn an instrument did not come until the age of 13 when Raylene was able to get guitar lessons and started songwriting only after having learned a couple of chords. Yet her greatest desire was to learn piano... but much to her disappointment... this would have to wait! Dancing had been a huge investment for her parents and they were hoping that she would follow this path... little did they realise at that time, how much music would become a driving force and a lifelong pursuit for her...

With guitar in hand, song writing became a meaningful form of expression for Raylene who was soon asked to perform regularly at her local church, local shows, events, youth camps, weddings etc. What many did not know, was that that these songs were birthed out of a time of great personal struggle for her - as she wrestled with depression and low self esteem from cruel and careless words spoken over her by others...

In 1999, Raylene entered a songwriting competition for the first time... held by TAMOSCAR – with four entries. One entry “Where Can I Go” was placed in the top 12 out of almost 5,000 entries nationwide with the other three receiving a judge’s commendation. During this time she was involved in choirs and establishing a songwriting group with other local songwriters…

Towards the end of 2001, Raylene studied music more in depth and eventually completing a Diploma of Music & a Diploma of Creative Ministry/Arts.

In 2005, recording demos for her debut album “Mystery” commenced - marking her journey through the most difficult period of her life and the peace & tranquillity discovered amidst those storms.

2005 again - “His Love” - was a finalist entry in the National Gospel Songwriting Awards... (on the album).

Some highlights of her group performances include: Unity College concerts; Floriade; city wide inter-church events; Christmas concerts; and as part of the “Australian Idol Choir” at Parliament House, Canberra – hosted by Channel 10, in 2005.

Her soloist performance highlights include events such as: 1Way FM Fundraiser concert; The National Gospel Happening; Young Cherry Picking Festival; Assyrian Rally at Parliament House Canberra; Unity College Fundraiser Concert 2009 & 2010; Street Concerts at Shopping Malls; as well as hosting her own concerts, the John O'Brien festival in Narrandera and radio play by 1WayFm Canberra and Party in the Park at Stage 88, 2011.

Raylene writes music that she hopes you will find to be inspirational and uplifting... and will stir your "inner-self" to believe for greater things... her music is best described as an eclectic mix, from Alternate Pop/Rock to Celtic persuasion.

In putting together her albums “Mystery” & "Redemption" – it is hoped that you will be inspired and encouraged to move beyond where you are now and into the fulfilment of your God-given destiny....